From Roses: Sailing Catamaran Cruise to Medes Islands

The best part of this cruise is the easy mix of open-water sailing, swimming, and lunch served on board. You leave Roses, cross the Bay of Roses, pass the village of L’Estartit and the Montgrí massif, then spend about two hours anchored near Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa.

I especially like the clear turquoise water and the chance to sit on the catamaran’s front nets, where the sea slips beneath you. The barbecue lunch and included drinks also make the $66 price easier to justify, especially for a half-day at sea. The main caution is that departure can run late, and the swimming stop may not always give you the best conditions for seeing fish.

• A 5.5-hour Costa Brava sailing day: You get a full half-day on the water, not a short harbor trip.
• Two possible swimming areas: The boat stops at Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa, depending on the day’s plan.
• Lunch cooked aboard: Expect chicken breasts, skewers, sausages, salads, bread, and watermelon.
• Drinks throughout the cruise: Water and soft drinks are available during the trip, with regional wine and sangria at lunch.
• Front-deck net seating: Lie above the water and watch the sea pass below you.
• Simple meeting point: Board at the Dock of Ginjolers in central Roses, opposite Hotel Ramblamar.

Leaving Roses for the Medes Islands

This outing begins at the Dock of Ginjolers, at 153 Av. de Rhode in the center of Roses. The meeting point is opposite Hotel Ramblamar, so you do not need to arrange a separate transfer from somewhere outside town.

Once aboard, the catamaran heads across the Bay of Roses. This first stretch is as much about the ride as the destination. You have time to settle into the boat, look back toward Roses, and enjoy the Costa Brava from the water rather than from a road or crowded beach.

The boat is described as spacious and comfortable, with room to sit in the sun or find shade. The forward nets are the most distinctive place to settle. You feel as if you are floating above the water, though the nets can get wet from spray, so keep phones and small bags secure.

The views change as the catamaran moves toward the Medes Islands. The route includes views of L’Estartit and the Montgrí massif, giving the trip a useful sense of place. This is not just a swim transfer. You see a section of the coast from a position that roads cannot provide.

The crew speaks Spanish, English, and French. That makes the trip workable for a mixed-language group, though the available information does not name individual guides.

Seeing the Medes Islands from the water

The Medes Islands sit within a protected natural park, and the boat cruises around the island group before anchoring for swimming. The islands themselves are the main visual reward: rocky shapes rising from the sea, framed by the coast and the Montgrí massif.

Do not expect a long island walk. This is a boat-based visit, and the focus is on sailing, coastal views, swimming, and time on deck. If you want to explore on land, this is not the right excursion. If you want to see the islands without giving up most of the day, the format works well.

The catamaran’s size helps here. A larger vessel gives you several ways to spend the time. You can sit with a drink, move to the front nets, watch the coastline, or prepare for the water. That freedom matters on a 5.5-hour trip, since sitting in one position for half a day can become tiring.

The scenery is best enjoyed at an unhurried pace. You are not racing from one viewpoint to another. The boat moves, anchors, and gives you time to notice the color of the water and the shape of the coast.

About two hours at Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa

The main stop lasts about two hours at either Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa. Both offer a chance to swim in clear water, sunbathe on deck, and take a break from the steady motion of the boat.

Cala Montgó is a sheltered coastal cove, while Illa Pedrosa is associated with the island setting. The exact stop matters because the atmosphere and water conditions can change from one location to the other. The available details do not guarantee which stop you will visit, so book this for the general experience rather than one specific cove.

Swimming is the centerpiece of this pause. The water is described as transparent and turquoise, and snorkeling equipment is available with a €10 deposit. Bring realistic expectations, though. One account found the water too deep for good fish viewing and felt the actual time close to the islands was shorter than expected. That is useful to know if snorkeling is your main reason for booking.

The best approach is to treat the stop as a refreshing sea break first and a serious snorkeling session second. You may see marine life, but the conditions, depth, visibility, and anchoring position will affect how much you spot.

You can also remain on deck if swimming is not your thing. Sunbathing, taking in the views, and watching others in the water are all part of the stop. Families may appreciate that the pace is relaxed rather than built around a demanding activity.

Life jackets are supplied for both children and adults. Snorkeling equipment is included after the €10 deposit, so you do not have to bring your own gear to take part.

Barbecue lunch with wine and sangria

While the catamaran is anchored, the crew prepares lunch on board. The meal includes chicken breasts, skewers, sausages, green salad, Russian salad, bread, and watermelon for dessert.

This is a practical meal for a day at sea. It is filling, familiar, and served without requiring you to leave the boat. Drinks with lunch include water, soft drinks, regional red, rosé, and white wine, plus sangria. Mineral water remains available throughout the entire trip, not only at mealtime.

I like this setup because the meal is part of the cruise rather than a separate expense at a beach restaurant. At $66 per person, the combination of transport by sea, several hours aboard, a cooked lunch, and drinks gives the price solid value for someone who wants a ready-made day out.

The food is not the strongest part for everyone. A vegetarian meal option was found disappointing, with a vegetarian burger described as overly strong and not very good. The advertised lunch is centered on meat, salads, bread, and fruit, so people with vegetarian needs should clarify what alternative will be available before booking.

The crew serves lunch on board, allowing you to eat with sea views. That is one of the small pleasures of the trip: you are not stopping at a generic restaurant after spending the day on the water. Still, keep expectations sensible. This is a casual barbecue, not a carefully designed restaurant menu.

Only card payments are accepted on board, and American Express is not accepted. Since water and soft drinks are already included, you may not need much extra spending, but bring a supported card if you plan to buy anything.

The front nets, open water, and time to relax

The catamaran’s front nets are a major part of its appeal. Sitting above the water gives you a stronger sense of motion than a standard seat. You can watch the sea pass directly below while the boat moves along the coast.

This is also the part most likely to feel special for children and first-time sailors. It turns a normal boat ride into something more physical and playful. The nets may not be ideal for anyone who dislikes spray or wants firm, dry footing, so use the regular seating areas when needed.

The trip is not structured as a constant stream of commentary or activities. Much of the pleasure comes from the simple rhythm of sailing, stopping, swimming, eating, and sailing back. That makes it a good choice if you want a break from packed sightseeing days.

The atmosphere can vary. One poorly timed departure involved a one-hour delay and a loud group that made the boat uncomfortable for others. That appears to be a possible group-dynamics problem rather than the central purpose of the trip, but it is worth keeping in mind. A shared catamaran can feel peaceful one day and noisier the next.

The crew received strong praise for the captaincy, meal service, navigation, and general atmosphere in one account. That balance is useful: the sailing and hospitality can be very enjoyable, but the experience depends partly on punctuality and the behavior of the group aboard.

Is $66 good value for a Costa Brava day on the water?

At $66 per person, this cruise sits in the reasonable range for a 5.5-hour excursion that includes food and drinks. You are paying for a boat trip from Roses to the Medes Islands, a long swimming stop, use of snorkeling equipment after a refundable-style deposit arrangement, a barbecue lunch, and drinks throughout the outing.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat ride, lunch, and time at a scenic swimming spot. Families may find the calculation more favorable if children up to age six qualify for free places, as one booking account indicated. Confirm the child policy when making your reservation, since the supplied tour details do not list it as a formal inclusion.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want serious snorkeling or a quiet, small-group sailing trip. The swimming location can be deep, and a full catamaran means you share the boat with other passengers. You are buying convenience and a broad day-out experience, not a specialist marine excursion.

The free cancellation policy also gives you some flexibility. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

This is a good fit for couples, families, and friends who want a simple Costa Brava day with several pleasures built into one booking. You do not need to plan lunch, rent a separate boat, or find your own way to a swimming cove.

It also suits people who like variety. You get coastal views, island scenery, swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, a barbecue, and time on the front nets. No single element has to carry the entire day.

Families should appreciate the life jackets, relaxed timetable, child-friendly swimming stop, and the fact that lunch is already organized. Parents should still remember that this is an open-water outing, with sun exposure and time aboard a moving boat.

I would be more cautious about recommending it to a dedicated snorkeler. The water may be clear, but one account found the anchorage too deep for good fish viewing and felt the island stop was brief. For that purpose, a specialist snorkeling trip would likely be a better match.

Vegetarians should ask about the available meal before paying. The standard menu is built around several kinds of meat, and the alternative reported on one outing was not well received.

What to bring and what to expect on the day

Bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and a way to protect your phone from spray. The supplied information confirms life jackets and snorkeling equipment, but it does not list towels or personal sun gear, so plan to bring your own.

Wear something comfortable for a half-day boat ride. You may want a light layer for the return journey, though no specific weather policy is given. Keep valuables limited, especially if you plan to use the front nets or swim.

Arrive at the Dock of Ginjolers in central Roses, opposite Hotel Ramblamar. Check the exact departure time when booking because the activity has different possible start times, and one account recorded a significant delay. If punctuality matters, leave extra room in your plans rather than arranging a tight connection afterward.

The total duration is 5.5 hours. That includes the outward cruise, the stop near Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa, lunch, and the return to Roses. The stop itself lasts about two hours, so the sailing sections are a substantial part of the day.

Should you book the Magic Catamarans cruise?

Book it if you want an easy, social day on the Costa Brava with swimming, coastal scenery, and lunch already handled. The combination of sailing and a barbecue is the real value, and the front nets add a memorable touch without requiring any special skill.

Think twice if you need guaranteed snorkeling depth, a precise departure time, a vegetarian menu you already know will suit you, or a quiet small boat. The stop can be less useful for seeing fish than expected, and shared-boat conditions can vary.

For most visitors staying in Roses, I would consider this a good-value outing at $66, provided you see it as a relaxed sea day rather than a dedicated wildlife or snorkeling tour. Bring a supported payment card, confirm the swimming location and food arrangements if they matter to you, and leave your schedule flexible around departure.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran leave from?

It leaves from the Dock of Ginjolers in central Roses, at 153 Av. de Rhode, opposite Hotel Ramblamar.

How long does the activity last?

The cruise lasts 5.5 hours. The stop at Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa lasts about two hours.

Which languages are available?

The tour is available in Spanish, English, and French.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes chicken breasts, skewers, sausages, green salad, Russian salad, bread, and watermelon.

Which drinks are included?

Water and soft drinks are available throughout the trip. Lunch drinks include regional red, rosé, and white wine, along with sangria.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available with a €10 deposit. Life jackets are provided for both children and adults.